‘We’re closing in’: Authorities match wits with accused killer dad Travis Decker

Content warning: This article contains graphic descriptions of child murder. Please take care while reading.

Chelan County authorities are intensifying a high-stakes manhunt for Travis Decker, the 32‑year‑old father accused of murdering his three young daughters during a court‑ordered visitation on May 30. The Decker sisters‘ bodies were discovered near Rock Island Campground on June 2. They were suffocated and their wrists were bound by zip ties.

June 11 press Conference: “Closing in”

At a June 11 press conference, Sheriff Mike Morrison delivered a firm message: “There is nowhere that he’s going to be able to go that we don’t have units waiting for him.” He emphasized that Decker has to be perfect every day if he hopes to evade capture. “All we need is one mistake and one day to go in our favor,” Morrison said.

The sheriff disclosed that investigators have “found items that are of interest to us” near Blewett Pass. Hikers reported sightings near Colchuck Lake in the rugged Enchantments region. A helicopter spotted a lone hiker who fled off‑trail, triggering tracking teams and K9 units that traced the trail to the Ingalls Creek area.

A change in “tactics”

At the press conference, Morrison also noted a strategic shift in operations. “You will see a change in our tactics,” he said. “We are a tourist destination,” he added. “We have a lot of people out there… let him know that he has no safe spot to go.”

According to official and local reports, the Decker children were last seen leaving for a scheduled visit with their father on May 30. He failed to return them by evening, prompting immediate concern. On June 1, his truck was found abandoned near Rock Island Campground, and the girls’ bodies were located nearby the next day.

The medical examiner ruled their deaths as homicides. In the abandoned vehicle, authorities found evidence of a struggle—bloodied handprints, a blanket, food, and the children’s car seats.

Decker’s mental health

Decker, a U.S. Army infantry veteran with service in Afghanistan, was reportedly diagnosed with PTSD and borderline personality disorder. The family’s conditions were already strained; his ex‑wife had filed to restrict overnight visits citing mental health concerns.

Digital evidence also revealed Decker had researched “how to move to Canada” and similar queries just days before the tragedy, indicating a potential escape plan. A $20,000 reward has been issued by the U.S. Marshals for information leading to his arrest.